Olympic road cycling review- arise Sir Froomey

Froome’s bronze medal in the time trial will not be one of Great Britain’s most celebrated medals; the rowers’ and track cyclists’ hoard of golds will shine more brightly.

Yet, the three time Tour de France winner’s battling bronze underlines he is one of our greatest ever athletes: great not only in body but in mind.

He is the best grand tour rider of his generation. Only true legends- Hinault, Merckx, Anquetil and Indurain- triumphed more times in the Tour. Who’s to say he can’t surpass them all by winning a record six?

His mental toughness and determination are also a cut above his rivals, many of whom would be satisfied with a TDF title. But not Froome. He wanted the Olympic road race and time trial.

Ironically the road race probably wasn’t tough enough for him to contest the finale. Fatigue must also have taken the edge off his legs, making his bronze in the time trial even more remarkable.

Only the best beat him. Neither Cancellera nor Dumoulin raced the Tour or even the road race as hard as him. The former lays claim to being the greatest time trialist of all time, while the latter is his heir apparent.

Despite what some detractors claim, Froome is no stage race one trick pony. Outside of the EPO/Armstrong era it is unheard of for a grand tour rider to time trial so well.

It’s high time his achievements and genuine Olympic spirit are recognised: arise Sir Christopher Froome, a sporting hero of our time.